We now have a two beautiful body butters. Belly Butter has been formulated to reduce the formation of stretch marks and to soften and nourish the skin on growing pregnant bellies. This 100% organic butter is made with raw shea and cocoa butter, Chamomile and Lavender infused olive oils, and a lovely blend of essential oils. Belly Butter is safe and specifically formulated for pregnancy as well as being gentle enough for a baby.

Our Body Butter contains a dynamic, organic combination of raw shea and cocoa butter, Comfrey leaf infused olive oil, and essential oils of Sandalwood, Cedarwood and Lime. This butter is the definition of soft and soothing. It can used therapeutically for a wide range of skin irritations, or simply as a wonderful all body moisturizer.

Our unique aromatherapy blends are now offered as Spritzers! These original blends include Balancing, Clarity, Energy, Forest, Grounding, and Lovers Blend.

Come check out our new 20% off book table, we will be rotating titles often. If you have been looking for new herb books this is the perfect opportunity!

We are offering 10% off our bulk Herb of the Month, Dandelion Leaf and Dandelion Root!

Each month one of our staff members picks one of her/his favorite items in our shop to tell you about.

Oil Divine

I love topical oils of all kinds, but I keep finding myself going back to the Oil Divine. Simply put, there is something magical about this blend. It has a powerful lingering action through a light gentle scent. It is my "special oil", the one I use when there is some trauma going on, if I need some serious grounding or if I just want to treat myself to something divine. Made with organic jojoba oil, Frankincense, Sandalwood and Lavender essential oils, Oil Divine is ready to be poured into the bath, used as a massage oil or as a scented body moisturizer. One of the first blends I made for the shop, this continues to be one of my all time favorites.

Below is our Spring Class Schedule. Look for more seasonal classes to come. For full class descriptions and an archive of past classes please check our website at: http://www.rebeccasherbs.com/classes.html.

Parents must accompany
2nd Sunday of each month, April-June 2010, 10:00-11:00am
Instructor: Katie Browning, Certified Herbalist
Cost: $20 (All materials included)

Tuesday, April 6th 2009, 6:30-8:00pm
Instructor: Lelia Lyon, Certified Herbalist
Cost: $35

Wednesday, April 21st, 6:30-8:00pm
Instructor: Faith Goguen, Certified Clinical Herbalist
Cost: $35

Tuesday, May 11th 2009, 6:30-8:00pm
Instructor: Lelia Lyon, Certified Herbalist
Cost: $35

Sunday, May 16th, 10:00-12:00pm
Instructors: Ashlee Bodo, Certified Clinical Herbalist and Katie Browning, Certified Herbalist
Cost: $25

Introduction: Wednesday, May 19th, 6:30-8:30pm
Advanced: Wednesday, May 26th, 6:30-8:30pm
Instructor: Faith Goguen, Certified Clinical Herbalist
Cost: Individuals - $50.00 for both classes, Couples - $75.00 for both classes

Each month one of our staff members picks an herb that she/he is drawn to, and shares some experiences, thoughts, medicinal uses and a bit of traditional lore about their selected plant. As each plant is unique, each Herbalist and point of view is unique. We hope you enjoy this tradition.

Common Name
Dandelion

Latin Name
Taraxacum officinalis

Family
Asteraceae

Parts Used
Root, leaf, and flower

Medicinal Properties
Spring has finally arrived and amidst the snow and the sunshine dandelion greens are emerging from the softening earth. Dandelion is traditionally known as a spring tonic and blood purifier. The spring greens were collected and eaten by our European and early American ancestors.

In addition to the leaves, the root, stem, and flower of the dandelion have been used for their wide array of properties. Dandelion's bitter flavor stimulates digestion by increasing the flow of bile from the liver and gallbladder helping with sluggish digestion, liver congestion, and gallstones. Another way dandelion improves the digestive system is through its inulin content. Inulin is an indigestible starch that feeds our friendly intestinal bacteria. By feeding our friendly bacteria with inulin, our intestinal flora will thrive and help to relieve many intestinal problems.

Dandelion, also known as Piss-in-bed, is diuretic, increasing the kidneys capacity to excrete waste products through the urine. Dandelion also stimulates the movement of lymph and blood, relieving congestion and inflammation in many areas of the body. It can be used with chronic skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and urticaria. In addition to all of these properties, dandelion is high in many vitamins and minerals. With all of these uses, its not surprising our ancestors used dandelion after long cold winters. Dandelion is a great aid during the transition from winter into the warmth of spring and summer.

Preparations and Applications
This plant can be enjoyed as a tea, taken as a tincture, applied topically as a poultice, or eaten as a food.

Recipes
There are numerous recipes for dandelion. For some great recipe ideas check out Susan Weed's book Healing Wise. My Italian great grandmother, Rosina Pasquariello, boiled and sauteed the greens as well as added them to omelets, soups, and salads. Remember that greens are less bitter before the dandelion has flowered, so now is the best time to eat them! To reduce the bitter flavor, the greens can be boiled in two washes. When collecting wild greens for food, remember to avoid sites that have been sprayed with herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals.

Spring Equinox Salad
Equal parts dandelion greens and mixed greens
Hard-boiled egg
Toss with croutons (if you can tolerate wheat), olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Feel free to add any of your other salad favorites.

Sources
Susan Weed: Healing Wise
Michael Moore: Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West
Matthew Wood: The Earthwise Herbal, A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants